Bell-ringers

Education - Notes

December 16, 1998

The Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA) has completed its annual Silver Medallion competition for the best public-relations projects and publications during the past year. Osceola district schools won first place for The Realtors Breakfast and Summit Program, first place for the 1997-98 Annual Report, and first place for the Academy Awards of Superintendent's Popcorn Sessions, Employee Welcome Back Expo, and Window on the Classroom Newsletter.

Mill Creek Elementary School is looking for individuals to adopt nine donated Beanie Babies, one of which is retired Beanie, Doodle. Chances can be purchased for the cost of $1 with proceeds being placed into the PTO account. Adoptions will be finalized and announced at the school Thursday.

First-grade students in Ann Leavens and Sarah Moncho's classes are working together with parents to make gingerbread houses. The houses will be on exhibit today, Thursday and Friday. Parents are invited into classrooms on Thursday from 8 to 8:30 a.m. or 3 to 3:30 p.m. to view the gingerbread houses along with Dear Santa letters and other holiday projects.

The Ross E. Jeffries Elementary School Food Drive, sponsored by guidance counselor Judi Crowell, will end today. All food collected will be given to the St. Cloud Food Pantry. To date, eight boxes have been collected.

The Ross E. Jeffries Elementary School Songsters, led by music instructor Patty Litvjak, will perform at the Osceola Square mall, followed by lunch at Morrison's Cafeteria. From the mall, the Songsters will perform at St. Cloud Republic Bank at 1:30 p.m. and decorate the bank's Christmas Tree.

Charlotte Kunkel has been selected as Neptune Middle School's 1998-99 Teacher of the Year. Kunkel has been teaching 28 years, 12 of which have been in Kissimmee. She teaches seventh-grade geography.

The Osceola School District Winter Band Concert will be in the Gateway High auditorium on Thursday at 7 p.m. Neptune Middle School bands will be among the performers.

Neptune Middle School has selected Jenna Barnard and Justin Sayoc as the Orlando Surge Successful Student of the Month for November and December. This program, initiated by the professional In-Line Hockey team, is directed toward middle-school students and highlights or reinforces existing student programs. Criteria for the Student of the Month vary by school. Jenna Barnard, November's student, is an honor student, a three-time Junior Olympic Silver Medalist and a volunteer at Give Kids the World. Justin Sayoc, December's student, has a great attitude, mentors kindergarten children in Kenansville, works on the SMILES youth Council, and volunteers with the local 4-H rodeo.

Central Avenue Elementary School will have the next Partners in Print workshop on Jan.14 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Partners in Print enables parents to participate in their child's reading progress.

The kindergarten classes at Central Avenue Elementary School will be performing Christmas carols at Donegan Health Center, Horizon Rehabilitation Center and Good Samaritan on Thursday and Friday.

Katherine Norris' kindergarten class will be adopting a manatee through the Adopt a Manatee Club while studying the letter M. Students will have the chance to choose a name from a list provided by the club, receive a classroom picture, and receive an adoption certificate for their manatee.